The Undersecretariat of Fisheries of the Nation confirmed huge fines for three fishing boats from China and one from Spain. These vessels had been seized in the past six months for illegal fishing in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the coast of Chubut.

"The Coast Guard was able to hold four fishing vessels that had entered the mile 200. Intervention was given to the Federal Justice and the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture set a fine of ARS 5.5 million (USD 1 million) for the transgression to the Federal Fisheries Act," stated the undersecretary Miguel Bustamante.

The fines, amounting to ARS 5.5 million each, were set on the Chinese ships Lu Rong Yu 6177 and Lu Rong Yu 6178 moored in Comodoro Rivadavia, and on the Fu Yuan Yu 873, arrested in Puerto Madryn.

The Spanish ship Piscator, owned by the Galicia-based firm Pesqueras de Bon was also sanctioned.

The Lu Rong Yu 6177 and the Lu Rong Yu 6178 have been in Chubut since December 2012, when they were detected illegally fishing in Argentinean waters. Both ships belong to the same shipping company that has not paid the fine yet.

Failure to pay the financial penalty, legal actions will be initiated for the fine to be paid.

The third Chinese trawler, the Fu Yuan Yu 873, was intercepted on 17 June within the 200 miles of the EEZ. The shipping firm was notified of the fine established on 15 July.

Meanwhile, the Piscator was held in July 2013. In this case, it was confirmed that it was carrying 2 tonnes of fresh fish that was being processed and further 250 tonnes of frozen fish in their holds. Bustamante said the shipowner had already been notified of the fine and that "the company decided to make the payment."

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